As the Congress moved closer to carve out a separate state of Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah apprehended the fallout of the move in the state.

As the Congress moved closer to carve out a separate state of Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah apprehended the fallout of the move in the state.

Abdullah warned the Centre against making new states as the decision would serve as an incentive to those agitating for similar demand from other parts of the country. "I don't support formation of a state as an incentive for agitation. Jammu and Kashmir, in spite of its diversity, can be affected due to this trend," Abdullah said on the sidelines of a function here.

Tomorrow, people of Jammu could be told that you come out on streets to seek a separate state and your demand would be met, the chief minister. "It is fine to create separate states but don't do it with piecemeal approach. This way the agitations are being incentivised."

He said giving in to the demand for creating a separate state against the backdrop of agitation was a "dangerous thing". "An impression is going out that agitations can lead to the creation of a new state, be it in Bundelkhand, Maharashtra, Gorkhaland or in our state. This is a dangerous trend," he said.

The chief minister said the job of creating new states should be entrusted to the States Reorganisation Commission. "If there is a need to create new states, the job should be entrusted to the States Reorganisation Commission. Treading the path of agitation is not the way forward."

Abdullah has trouble brewing at home. Ladakh has for long been demanding a union territory status. Last week, the National Conference-Congress coalition government led by Abdullah conceded to the demands of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils by agreeing to grant a separate police range for the region. The government also agreed to grant powers to both councils for transfer of officers other than district officers.